A disorganized cluster of storms pushed northeastward from far southwestern Pennsylvania into and across central Pennsylvania during the afternoon and early evening hours of September 7, 2023. The individual cells intensified and eventually merged into a north-south line that crossed the Susquehanna Valley.
Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
The episode as NWS CTP wrote it up.
A disorganized cluster of storms pushed northeastward from far southwestern Pennsylvania into and across central Pennsylvania during the afternoon and early evening hours of September 7, 2023. The individual cells intensified and eventually merged into a north-south line that crossed the Susquehanna Valley. Wind damage was the primary impact, although one severe hail report was received.
The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS State College, PA wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Sep 7, 11:49 AM EST, 23 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service State College PA 1249 PM EDT Thu Sep 7 2023 .SYNOPSIS... A slow-moving cold front will approach from the Great Lakes and stall out over PA until Sunday. Daily showers and thunderstorms will form along and east of the front, with most happening in the afternoons and early evenings. Temperatures will get back close to normal by Sunday or Monday. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... As a shortwave trough aloft interacts with a slow moving cold front, heavy showers and thunderstorms will develop first across Laurels and central mtns, then shifting eastward with the best dynamics and instability into the Susq Valley for the late afternoon and evening. SPC recently issued a MCD indicating that a severe thunderstorm watch is likely. The main threat will be wind damage with isolated wet microbursts possible. The temps are pretty warm for svr hail to occur, but a quarter sized chunk or two is possible, esp if a supercell develops. MLCAPE of 2000-3000 was recently analyzed over the Susq Valley, where temps are in the 90s with dewpoints in the low 70s. With ample moisture at low levels, training/repeat cells could lead to precip that approaches FFG (mainly across the NE where FFG is lower than the dry SErn cos). Heat index values will take a run at 100 again today in the Lower Susq. The dewpoints will be a little higher in the aftn than the last few days, though - keeping near 70 for the ern half of the CWA. That is what helps the HI get into the m-u90s today. No plans for a heat advy today, as prev shifts have set the table well, and no large changes to the fcst temps/dews keeps us just a hair under the threshold. Convection will move east and diminish after 8pm. Temps only dip into the 60s again, as dewpoints remain high. The NW could have some clearing early, but a deck of low clouds wraps around the main low and into the NW by midnight. Some breaks should be had for the rest of the area overnight, but total clearing is not expected. Some fog is still expected, since there will be many areas that receive rainfall before midnight and the wind will be light. && .SHORT TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT/... The light wrly wind over the west will help dry things out slowly there, but so slowly that there will still be a few SHRA on Fri. The forcing looks very meager and triggers are not obvious at this point for TSRA on Fri. But, enough heat and any very minor cooler air moving in aloft should allow for destabilization and cause storms to form. Most of these will be east of the Allegheny Front again. Since they will be moving over the same places that received precip on Thurs, there is a small chc for the rain rates to exceed the updated FFG. Maxes on Fri will be impacted/lowered vs Thurs due to more cloud cover and just a tiny 1-2C dip in 8H temps. The SE should have the least cloud cover. Keeping with the going maxes which have been holding steady for the last few days/cycles - m70s NW and u80s SE. Again, no need for heat advy for Fri. && .LONG TERM /MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/... The upper level trough pattern will be sticking around through the beginning of next week and continue through the extended period. High pressure off the east coast and ridging within the High Plains and Four Corners region will allow for repeated 500mb trough axis to swing across the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley before reaching the Mid-Atlantic region. Given that the upper-level pattern is likely to remain in place for much of next week, we can expect this to bring daily rounds of scattered showers and thunderstorms. This is supported by ensemble guidance showing agreement with the progressive pattern. Tuesday of next week is the only day with a break from the rain as the initial trough lifts towards the north east, and the next trough sets up to the west. Temperatures in the extended period are progged to be much cooler than the hot summer like temperatures we experienced this week. With the upper-level flow of cooler Canadian air pushing into the region, our temps will be near seasonal to slightly below average. && .AVIATION /18Z THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/... Early morning fog with localized vsby restrictions will burn off by 13-14Z. Showers and thunderstorms over western PA this morning will move into the airspace and strengthen during the afternoon and evening hours. Storms will weaken/diminish by around midnight. Strong to damaging wind gusts are possible with some storms. Outlook... Fri-Mon...Scattered showers and storms. Patchy fog. && .CTP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && SYNOPSIS...Gartner/Travis NEAR TERM...Dangelo/Colbert SHORT TERM...Fitzgerald/Travis LONG TERM...Bowen AVIATION...Martin/Gartner
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service State College PA 413 AM EDT Thu Sep 7 2023 PAZ004>006-010-011-017-024-033-080815- Warren-McKean-Potter-Elk-Cameron-Clearfield-Cambria-Somerset- 413 AM EDT Thu Sep 7 2023 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Pennsylvania. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Strong to severe thunderstorms with gusty winds are possible today. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. PAZ012-018-019-025>028-034>037-041-042-045-046-049>053-056-063-064- 080815- Northern Clinton-Northern Centre-Southern Centre-Blair-Huntingdon- Mifflin-Juniata-Bedford-Fulton-Franklin-Tioga-Northern Lycoming- Sullivan-Southern Clinton-Southern Lycoming-Union-Snyder-Montour- Northumberland-Columbia-Perry-Cumberland-Adams- 413 AM EDT Thu Sep 7 2023 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Pennsylvania. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Severe thunderstorms with damaging winds and large hail are possible this afternoon through the first half of the night. Brief heavy rain from thunderstorms may lead to minor flooding issues. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. Strong to severe thunderstorms are possible Friday afternoon and evening. Heavy rain from thunderstorms may lead to flooding issues on Friday and Saturday. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are encouraged to report significant hazardous weather. PAZ057>059-065-066-080815- Dauphin-Schuylkill-Lebanon-York-Lancaster- 413 AM EDT Thu Sep 7 2023 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Pennsylvania. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Severe thunderstorms with damaging winds and large hail are possible this afternoon through the first half of the night. Brief heavy rain from thunderstorms may lead to minor flooding issues. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. Severe thunderstorms with damaging winds and large hail are possible Friday afternoon and evening. Heavy rain from thunderstorms may lead to flooding issues. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are encouraged to report significant hazardous weather.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service State College PA
1120 AM EDT Thu Sep 7 2023
PAZ034-035-071600-
Bedford PA-Fulton PA-
1120 AM EDT Thu Sep 7 2023
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTH CENTRAL BEDFORD AND
SOUTHWESTERN FULTON COUNTIES THROUGH NOON EDT...
At 1119 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Cumberland, moving northeast at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Inglesmith and Barnes Gap.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3973 7865 3992 7846 3979 7818 3972 7828
TIME...MOT...LOC 1519Z 220DEG 21KT 3966 7856
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
Bauco/ColbertSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service State College PA
1201 PM EDT Thu Sep 7 2023
PAZ034-035-071645-
Bedford PA-Fulton PA-
1201 PM EDT Thu Sep 7 2023
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT EASTERN BEDFORD AND CENTRAL
FULTON COUNTIES THROUGH 1245 PM EDT...
At 1200 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Bedford to 12 miles southwest of
Breezewood. Movement was northeast at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Breezewood, Clearville, Everett, Crystal Springs, Wells Tannery,
Valley-Hi, Saluvia, Locust Grove, Saxton, Defiance and Hopewell.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 4012 7844 4028 7825 4023 7824 4015 7810
3988 7809 3976 7846
TIME...MOT...LOC 1600Z 220DEG 23KT 4010 7836 3984 7834
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
Colbert/BaucoSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service State College PA
100 PM EDT Thu Sep 7 2023
PAZ017>019-071730-
Northern Centre PA-Clearfield PA-Southern Centre PA-
100 PM EDT Thu Sep 7 2023
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN CLEARFIELD AND
SOUTHWESTERN CENTRE COUNTIES THROUGH 130 PM EDT...
At 100 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Tyrone, moving northeast at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Philipsburg, Stormstown, Osceola Mills, Chester Hill, North
Philipsburg, Port Matilda, South Philipsburg, Sandy Ridge, Julian,
Black Moshannon State Park, Morrisdale, Grassflat, Kylertown and
Unionville.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 4104 7820 4091 7787 4073 7808 4074 7811
4074 7828 4079 7832
TIME...MOT...LOC 1700Z 210DEG 23KT 4082 7817
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH
CTPThe State College radar (KCCX), 61 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 17:13 UTC.
30 thunderstorm wind, 5 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked a tree down across Hares Valley Road near the intersection of Kylers Road southwest of Mapleton.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked multiple trees down across Stone Creek Ridge Road northeast of Huntingdon.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked trees and wires down across Pension Hollow Road southwest of Bixler.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 70 mph produced widespread tree damage, including multiple large trees down in Rothrock State Forest.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down multiple trees across US Route 322 east of Tusseyville.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked multiple trees down across State Route 45 south-southeast of Centre Hall.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down multiple trees and wires along Penns Valley Road near the intersection of Heckman Cemetery Road east of Spring Mills.
A thunderstorm produced nickel-sized hail northeast of Waynesboro.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees and wires along Hunters Valley Road northwest of Mount Patrick.
A thunderstorm produced penny-sized hail west of Pillow.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked trees and wires down across State Route 44 south of Ramsey.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down a tree onto a car in Porter Township. There were no injuries reported on scene.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down multiple trees and wires along Burnt House Road west of Mount Holly Springs.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down multiple trees and wires north of Shermans Dale.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 80 mph uprooted multiple trees, knocked down large limbs, knocked down many small limbs onto a car, uplifted portions of a roof, and caused significant damage to an outbuilding north of Shermans Dale.
A thunderstorm produced penny-sized hail on the south end of Carlisle.
A severe thunderstorm produced quarter-sized hail on the north side of Duncannon.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down trees and wires along West Fourth Street on the western end of Williamsport.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down large tree limbs onto State Route 54 northwest of Elysburg.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down multiple trees and wires in Minersville.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked trees and wires down across Glenville Road southwest of Glenville.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked a tree and wires down Conewago Road southwest of Mount Royal.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down multiple trees and wires in Highspire.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down multiple trees across Swatara Drive east-northeast of Bellgrove.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down a large tree across the US Route 322 onramp to State Route 72 south of Quentin.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked a tree onto wires on Awol Road near the overpass to Interstate 81 north of Ono.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked a multiple trees and wires along Melvin Drive west-southwest of Slackwater.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down multiple tree onto wires along Manheim Pike on the northwest end of Lancaster.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked wires down across Red Well Road south-southwest of Green Bank.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked multiple trees and wires along Lowry Road southeast of Green Bank.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down multiple trees and wires across Storms Store Road northeast of Bonneauville.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down multiple trees and wires across Iron Stone Hill Road west-southwest of Dallastown.
A thunderstorm produced penny-sized hail southeast of Red Lion.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked down wires across South Main Street in East Prospect Borough near the intersection of West Ridge Avenue.
A severe thunderstorm producing winds estimated near 60 mph knocked wires down across Richmond Road north of Millersville.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Pennsylvania in 2023Every state in 2023This day in weather historyWarnings in Pennsylvania, September 2023
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 1128956, 1128957, 1128958, 1128959, 1128961, 1128964, 1128965, 1120346, 1128966, 1120347, 1128967, 1128968, 1128969, 1128970, 1129607, 1120350, 1120351, 1128971, 1128998, 1128972, 1128975, 1128974, 1128973, 1128976, 1128977, 1128978, 1128979, 1128980, 1128981, 1128982, 1128983, 1128984, 1120353, 1128985, 1128986.